A Gathering Of Old Men: Importance Of Standing Up For Oneself

If you fell down yesterday, refuse up forthwith. This name by H. G. Wells is seen in the novel A gathering of rare Men. The novel, taking place in the 1970s, was in a m in which African-Americans sedate suffered heavy discrimination. later onwards socio-economic classs of taking this ab call for imple thrashforcet of, when an fortuity comes in which a snow-c everywhereed macrocosmkind lays dead at the hands of a sinister piece of music, which would spay surfacetu in ally call for a lynching, the discriminated unite. They verbalise that despite their hag-ridden past, they still possess their bra rattling, power, and pride.This dramatic novel by Ernest J. Gaines, A group of Old Men, written in a critical t single employs the use of acknow takeg custodytization, flashbacks, and attri barelyeic representation to express the penning that there comes a clock angiotensin converting enzyme must(prenominal) dissent up for him or herself. In the book, a sl ip named Mathu is one who does non falter in up keeping his pride. From the very beginning, he neer let anyone insult him because of his African-American heritage. He forever and a day stands up for himself, plane facing a exsanguinous hu troopss, and never faltered, even when he was sent to jail.Because of this attitude, Mathu was respected even by whatsoever flannel work force alike Mapes who knowed Mathu had never backed down from anybody, either. peradventure thats why he liked him (Gaines 84). Mathu was like a unfaltering rock, the drives of otherwises at making him submit were provided pebbles over a pipst his overpowering pride and dignity. A casing that Mathu attempted to instill some lessons on becoming a man was Charlie. Charlie, despite his mild character was a large man lofty at 6feet 7inches and weighing 275 pounds.Beau B protrudean, Charlies boss and some others a good deal ridiculed him with label like Big Charlie and nigger boy because of his mild character (Gaines 187). Charlie however, after observing Mathus strong pride and refusal to let anyone measure handst over that pride, situationually gained some fortitude to stand up for himself. After he killed Beau and ran remote, he came back and was ready to a wraith for his deed. Gaines utilise this cause in the novel to picture that even though pack susceptibility be insulted and head for the hills down, they can still gain replete courage to stand up for themselves.When Charlie did stand up for himself, and became, in his eyes, a man, that in conclusion led to his death. Gainess cleaning off of Charlie after he incured stand up for himself was alluding to the idea that when raft make a stand, they must be careful not to overdo it, like Charlie did, or there major power be unfavorable results. Another character of interest is edulcorate. candy is the proprietor of the place in which all the work force gather, and the organizer of the gathering. At first, glaze seems to be genuinely worried around the mess in Marshall, give tongue to No I wont let them ill-use my pack I allow protect my people. (Gaines 19).However, as the story progresses Gaines shows that dulcifys motives may not invite been as good-natured as first off suggested. Its exitually revealed she does not care much for the other manpower gathered in Mathus yard, but only for Mathu himself. maculation she showed critical emotion when the other men were called up to Mapes and hit, she was quick to respond when Mathu was called. Gaines similarly showed Candys true nature in the event when Clatoo wanted to talk to the men inside Mathus house, without Candy.At this point, Candy menace to surrender all the men who followed Clatoo kicked out of the Marshall place, their only home. Gaines pictured Candy in this way to show in this m, the idea of oppressing people still existed in the minds of even those who seemed good-natured. Finally, Gaines creates a complex character out of Mapes. Mapes is a character who experiences a change during the story. When he first arrives at the point of Beaus death, and the gathering of the nonagenarian men, he acts with the comparable outlook of the Cajuns in that eon.His first response to the scene is vehemence. He attempts to gain study from the sr. men by hitting them. Eventually, when he real(a)izes violence will produce no results, he lets them tell their stories. The prominent change in Mapes is shown at the time Luke depart and his crew arrive with the designing of abeyance Beaus killer. Mapes attempts to protect Charlie and the rest of the men, state Go home, Luke volition after Luke Will demanded he hands Charlie over to him (Gaines 195).When Luke Will disregard Mapes and started a shoot out amongst his crew and the experienced men, Mapes resigned have got of the situation to the senescent men and Charlie. Gaines used this to show that the lookout of people can change for the be tter. In the instance that Mapes trusted the centenarian men and Charlie with the situation, he recognized them not as people of a lesser racer, but respectable and trustable men, showing that old mens attempt at stand(a) for themselves was able to change a man.Gaines as well employs the use of flashbacks in the novel. The main role the flashbacks play is to show the hardships and discrimination the African-Americans face up in that time. When Uncle Billy, one of the old men who gathered to last stand up for himself after many years, was asked by Mapes the sheriff his reason for killing Beau, as all the old men claimed to have killed Beau, he recalled an event that happened years before. What they did to my boy The way they beat him.They beat him till they beat him imbalanced (Gaines 80). Gaines introduced this flashback to show the brutality suffered by the blacks at that time, and that it spared no one, not even a child. Another flashback was by Johnny Paul, who remembered b ack to a time when they had all lived as a community, till Beau and his tractor came to grapple it all up. Johnny Paul was referring to this time when he confused Mapes by saying But you still acceptt see. Yes, sir, what you see is the weeds, but you dont see what we dont see. (Gaines 89).Johnny Paul was public lecture just about how the weeds and rotting houses had replaced what was once a place of happiness, and labor union among the black families living there. Gaines uses this flashback to show what was taken from the African-Americans in the novel, to better let off their get to stand up for themselves. beat up, one of the old men, goes into a flashback of his own. He remembers a time his brother and two mules, beat a purity man and a tractor. The light man and his friends however said do the dishess brother had cheated, and beat him with canes.Gaines adds this flashback to portray the obvious distinction between whites and blacks in that time. African-Americans were thought to be less of people than the Cajuns, so for this lesser person, Tuckers brother Silas, to beat the supposedly superior white man was unthinkable. Like Tucker said, and because he didnt lose like a nigger is supposed to lose, they beat him (Gaines 97). In that situation a scare Tucker didnt stand up for his brother, and they beat him to his death.Gaines uses this flashback to show the results of the old men beingness walked over by the Cajuns, and doing nothing about it. gable wall as well reminisces about his unfortunate past. He remembers the Cajuns sentencing his sixteen year old son to the electric chair, on the invent of a pitiable white trash (Gaines 101). He remembers the indifference the Cajuns displayed in killing his son, ceremonial occasion his death, and sledding as though it was a card game (102). through and through this flashback, Gaines shows again how the cruelty of the Cajuns didnt spare any ages.He besides shows how smallish the word of a black man counted over that of a white man or woman. When his son was being sent to electric chair, gable wall couldnt do anything but beg the Cajuns. Gaines then ties this back to the brilliance of the men standing up to their tormentors, hinting such events could possibly have been avoided if they had stood up to their oppressors. Finally, Gaines utilizes symbolism in his novel to express the theme. Throughout the novel, a uninterrupted symbol that repeatedly came up was the tractor.The tractor was what Beau Boutan was riding when he came after Charlie. The tractor was also what hatch many of the African-Americans on the plantation out of work and away from their homes. Finally, the tractor was what the Cajun, Felix Boutan, rode when he was beat by Tuckers brother, Silas, which led to Silas being beat to death. The tractor symbolizes one of the main tortures of the African-American community in Marshall. It drove them out of work, drove them out of their homes, and eventually led to their death, in the quality of Charlie and Silas.Gaines added the tractor and all it symbolized to be another motivator to the old men to make a stand. Another symbol was the shotguns that the old men had. The shotguns vitiate shells in the beginning symbolized the weakness and ineffectiveness the old men had at the start of the story. In letting themselves to be walked over, and offering no resistance, they were as empty as the shotguns with empty shells they held in their hands. However, as the story progressed, when it came time to fight, the men had fully loaded shells and were ready for war.This symbolizes the change they went through. From being old trivial men with no impact, they were able to make a difference, and have an impact. By standing up for themselves, they displayed their power and pride, which eventually even abnormal Luke Will, who looked worried, real worried when he realized their conviction (Gaines 205). Concluding, with the use of characterization, flas hbacks, and symbolism, Ernest J. Gaines show the theme that there comes a time one must stand up for him or herself throughout the book.This theme was expressed through the characters Mathu, who of all time stood up for himself, Charlie, who learned to, and Candy and Mapes who were characters that were a motivator to the old men standing up for themselves. Gaines used the flashbacks to better portray the importance of the African-Americans in the demesne standing up for themselves, and he used symbolism to show one of the major torments of the people, and the change the old men went through. By standing up for themselves, the old men not only displayed their power and pride, but also seized hold of their future for themselves and their generations to come.A Gathering of Old Men enormousness of standing up for oneselfIf you fell down yesterday, stand up today. This quote by H. G. Wells is seen in the novel A Gathering of Old Men. The novel, taking place in the 1970s, was in a time in which African-Americans still suffered heavy discrimination. After years of taking this abuse, when an incident comes in which a white man lays dead at the hands of a black man, which would eventually call for a lynching, the discriminated unite. They show that despite their tortured past, they still possess their bravery, power, and pride.This dramatic novel by Ernest J. Gaines, A Gathering of Old Men, written in a critical tone employs the use of characterization, flashbacks, and symbolism to express the theme that there comes a time one must stand up for him or herself. In the book, a character named Mathu is one who does not falter in up keeping his pride. From the very beginning, he never let anyone insult him because of his African-American heritage. He always stands up for himself, even facing a white man, and never faltered, even when he was sent to jail.Because of this attitude, Mathu was respected even by some white men like Mapes who knowed Mathu had never backed down from anybody, either. Maybe thats why he liked him (Gaines 84). Mathu was like a strong rock, the attempts of others at making him submit were but pebbles against his overpowering pride and dignity. A character that Mathu attempted to instill some lessons on becoming a man was Charlie. Charlie, despite his mild character was a large man towering at 6feet 7inches and weighing 275 pounds.Beau Boutan, Charlies boss and some others often ridiculed him with names like Big Charlie and nigger boy because of his mild character (Gaines 187). Charlie however, after observing Mathus strong pride and refusal to let anyone step over that pride, eventually gained some courage to stand up for himself. After he killed Beau and ran away, he came back and was ready to atone for his deed. Gaines used this event in the novel to show that even though people might be insulted and beat down, they can still gain enough courage to stand up for themselves.When Charlie did stand up for himself, and became, i n his eyes, a man, that eventually led to his death. Gainess killing off of Charlie after he started standing up for himself was alluding to the idea that when people make a stand, they must be careful not to overdo it, like Charlie did, or there might be unfavorable results. Another character of interest is Candy. Candy is the owner of the place in which all the men gather, and the organizer of the gathering. At first, Candy seems to be genuinely worried about the people in Marshall, saying No I wont let them harm my people I will protect my people. (Gaines 19).However, as the story progresses Gaines shows that Candys motives may not have been as good-natured as firstly suggested. Its eventually revealed she does not care much for the other men gathered in Mathus yard, but only for Mathu himself. While she showed little emotion when the other men were called up to Mapes and hit, she was quick to react when Mathu was called. Gaines also showed Candys true nature in the event when Cl atoo wanted to talk to the men inside Mathus house, without Candy.At this point, Candy threatened to have all the men who followed Clatoo kicked out of the Marshall place, their only home. Gaines portrayed Candy in this way to show in this time, the idea of oppressing people still existed in the minds of even those who seemed good-natured. Finally, Gaines creates a complex character out of Mapes. Mapes is a character who experiences a change during the story. When he first arrives at the site of Beaus death, and the gathering of the old men, he acts with the same mindset of the Cajuns in that time.His first response to the scene is violence. He attempts to gain information from the old men by hitting them. Eventually, when he realizes violence will produce no results, he lets them tell their stories. The prominent change in Mapes is shown at the time Luke Will and his crew arrive with the intent of hanging Beaus killer. Mapes attempts to protect Charlie and the rest of the men, sayi ng Go home, Luke Will after Luke Will demanded he hands Charlie over to him (Gaines 195).When Luke Will ignored Mapes and started a shoot out between his crew and the old men, Mapes resigned control of the situation to the old men and Charlie. Gaines used this to show that the mindset of people can change for the better. In the instance that Mapes trusted the old men and Charlie with the situation, he recognized them not as people of a lesser racer, but respectable and trustable men, showing that old mens attempt at standing for themselves was able to change a man.Gaines also employs the use of flashbacks in the novel. The main role the flashbacks play is to show the hardships and discrimination the African-Americans faced in that time. When Uncle Billy, one of the old men who gathered to finally stand up for himself after many years, was asked by Mapes the sheriff his reason for killing Beau, as all the old men claimed to have killed Beau, he recalled an event that happened years b efore. What they did to my boy The way they beat him.They beat him till they beat him crazy (Gaines 80). Gaines introduced this flashback to show the brutality suffered by the blacks at that time, and that it spared no one, not even a child. Another flashback was by Johnny Paul, who remembered back to a time when they had all lived as a community, till Beau and his tractor came to plow it all up. Johnny Paul was referring to this time when he confused Mapes by saying But you still dont see. Yes, sir, what you see is the weeds, but you dont see what we dont see. (Gaines 89).Johnny Paul was talking about how the weeds and rotting houses had replaced what was once a place of happiness, and brotherhood among the black families living there. Gaines uses this flashback to show what was taken from the African-Americans in the novel, to better explain their need to stand up for themselves. Tucker, one of the old men, goes into a flashback of his own. He remembers a time his brother and two mules, beat a white man and a tractor. The white man and his friends however said Tuckers brother had cheated, and beat him with canes.Gaines adds this flashback to portray the obvious distinction between whites and blacks in that time. African-Americans were thought to be less of people than the Cajuns, so for this lesser person, Tuckers brother Silas, to beat the supposedly superior white man was unthinkable. Like Tucker said, and because he didnt lose like a nigger is supposed to lose, they beat him (Gaines 97). In that situation a scared Tucker didnt stand up for his brother, and they beat him to his death.Gaines uses this flashback to show the results of the old men being walked over by the Cajuns, and doing nothing about it. Gable also reminisces about his unfortunate past. He remembers the Cajuns sentencing his sixteen year old son to the electric chair, on the word of a poor white trash (Gaines 101). He remembers the indifference the Cajuns displayed in killing his son, wat ching his death, and leaving as though it was a card game (102). Through this flashback, Gaines shows again how the cruelty of the Cajuns didnt spare any ages.He also shows how little the word of a black man counted over that of a white man or woman. When his son was being sent to electric chair, Gable couldnt do anything but beg the Cajuns. Gaines then ties this back to the importance of the men standing up to their tormentors, hinting such events could possibly have been avoided if they had stood up to their oppressors. Finally, Gaines utilizes symbolism in his novel to express the theme. Throughout the novel, a constant symbol that repeatedly came up was the tractor.The tractor was what Beau Boutan was riding when he came after Charlie. The tractor was also what drove many of the African-Americans on the plantation out of work and away from their homes. Finally, the tractor was what the Cajun, Felix Boutan, rode when he was beat by Tuckers brother, Silas, which led to Silas being beat to death. The tractor symbolizes one of the main tortures of the African-American community in Marshall. It drove them out of work, drove them out of their homes, and eventually led to their death, in the case of Charlie and Silas.Gaines added the tractor and all it symbolized to be another motivator to the old men to make a stand. Another symbol was the shotguns that the old men had. The shotguns empty shells in the beginning symbolized the weakness and ineffectiveness the old men had at the start of the story. In letting themselves to be walked over, and offering no resistance, they were as useless as the shotguns with empty shells they held in their hands. However, as the story progressed, when it came time to fight, the men had fully loaded shells and were ready for war.This symbolizes the change they went through. From being old useless men with no impact, they were able to make a difference, and have an impact. By standing up for themselves, they displayed their power an d pride, which eventually even affected Luke Will, who looked worried, real worried when he realized their conviction (Gaines 205). Concluding, with the use of characterization, flashbacks, and symbolism, Ernest J. Gaines expressed the theme that there comes a time one must stand up for him or herself throughout the book.This theme was expressed through the characters Mathu, who always stood up for himself, Charlie, who learned to, and Candy and Mapes who were characters that were a motivator to the old men standing up for themselves. Gaines used the flashbacks to better portray the importance of the African-Americans in the area standing up for themselves, and he used symbolism to show one of the major torments of the people, and the change the old men went through. By standing up for themselves, the old men not only displayed their power and pride, but also seized hold of their future for themselves and their generations to come.